Led Zeppelin rose to fame in the late 1960s with Robert Plant on vocals, Jimmy Page on guitar, John Paul Jones on bass, and John Bonham on drums. Led Zeppelin became one of the most popular and influential bands of their time. For your consideration, we have curated a list of bands like Led Zeppelin that might enjoy listening to, have a look! Their blend of blues, folk, and hard rock, combined with Plant’s distinctive vocals and Page’s virtuosic guitar playing, set them apart from their contemporaries.
Led Zeppelin’s is well-known for it’s dynamic live performances, which featured extended improvisations and elaborate light shows. Their albums, including “Led Zeppelin IV” and “Physical Graffiti,” are incredibly successful, with many of their songs becoming rock classics, such as “Stairway to Heaven” and “Whole Lotta Love.” Despite disbanding in 1980 following Bonham’s death, Led Zeppelin’s legacy continues to influence and inspire generations of musicians and fans alike.
List of Bands Like Led Zeppelin
1. Deep Purple
The 1970s Deep Purple is a massively talented band with incredible classic hits like Smoke on The Water and are arguably just as influential as bands like Led Zeppelin but have been comparatively underrated and under-appreciated during their music days.
Deep Purple was a part of the ‘unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, for being pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal. While Deep Purple’s music tends to be more classically influenced, with a focus on intricate instrumental passages and virtuosic solos, they also incorporate elements of blues and rock ‘n’ roll into their music, and are perfect for you to listen to next.
Also Read: Bands like Pink Floyd
2. Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath is perhaps the most significant bands right next to Led Zeppelin to have greatly influenced world of rock in 1970s. Many fans of both the bands could have only hope for a collaboration, they came close when they had (what we can only imagine to be) the greatest jamming session ever.
The 2 bands had been friends before Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath even existed. The Black country’s rock scene was a small place, so Sabbath knew Robert Plant and John Bonham. Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne spoke of how the introduction to moodiness and Page’s fiery solos by Led Zeppelin dramatically altered their band’s sound. While the jamming session is nowhere to be found, for any fan of artists like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath’s music is not to be missed.
3. The Who
The Who are the natural choice for music like Led Zeppelin as they started around the same time. Technically, it was a bit earlier as they already had 3 albums out but it’s the overall 1960s era. The Who have their own style of music, nonetheless you could still notice the similarities it has with Led Zeppelin’s American rhythm and blues.
Pete Townshend’s guitar playing style and tone are somewhat similar to that of Jimmy Page. At the same time, the band combined some traditional blues and jazz elements with rock ‘n’ roll music. The Who are one of the safest bets to check out if you want other bands like Led Zeppelin.
4. Royal Blood
The British rock duo Royal Blood formed in 2013 and has gained popularity in recent years for their energetic, guitar-driven sound. While Royal Blood’s music is often compared to that of artists like Led Zeppelin, both the bands bands formed in different eras and have distinct musical styles.
Although, Royal Blood does have a familiar heavy, riff-based rock music to Led Zeppelin, in fact Jimmy Page praises Royal Blood for boosting the popularity of rock music and “taking the genre up a few serious notches.” Give their songs ‘Figure it out’ and ‘Out of the Black’ a try.
Also Read: Bands like Arctic Monkeys
5. Kingdom Come
1987 Kingdom Come is a hard rock band formed in by German vocalist Lenny Wolf. They gained popularity in the late 80s with their self-titled debut album. Their hit single Get It On song has clear metal influences both in the songwriting and production to those of Led Zeppelin, needless to say, their often compared to the band.
The guitar work and soaring vocals of singer Lenny Wolf lends itself so close to Page and Plant respectively that fans actually believed the track Get it On was the work of the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, releasing new music following the death of John Bonham. If you’re looking for artist similar to Led Zeppelin, Kingdom Come might impress you the most.
6. Greta Van Fleet
The Michigan rockers Greta Van Fleet sounds so much like Led Zeppelin that their lead singer, Josh Kiszka’s voice is very reminiscent to that of Robert Plant’s. But not just that, their guitar player plays some riffs that might remind you of Jimmy Page.
It’s no mystery that from the moment the Grammy-winning 4-piece Led Zeppelin burst on to the scene, many bands have drawn heavy comparison to their iconic and influential legacy. Greta Van Fleet gives some great jam worthy new rock music for fan of artists like Led Zeppelin to listen to.
Also Read: Bands like Tool
7. Pink Floyd
Any list of amazing rock bands practically screams out the name Pink Floyd, this one won’t be an exception. Pink Floyd is legendary and VERY popular and if you are Led Zeppelin fan who hasn’t heard much of their music, you might want to turn your head and try. Formed in London in 1965, Pink FLoyd are known for their unique psychedelic sound, philosophical lyrics, and visually stunning live performances.
Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd are both pioneers of the progressive rock movement in the 1970s and being contemporaries they have often played shows together. In fact, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour once auditioned for Led Zeppelin before joining Pink Floyd.The iconic albums like “The Dark Side of the Moon” and “The Wall” continue to influence and inspire generations of musicians and fans and is perfect for fans of artists like Led Zeppelin.
8. Them Crooked Vultures
Them Crooked Vultures is a rock supergroup consisting of members from well-known bands such as Queens of the Stone Age, Nirvana, and Foo Fighters. They released their self-titled debut album in 2009, featuring a blend of heavy rock, psychedelic, and blues influences.
Them Crooked Vultures’ drummer, Dave Grohl, was the drummer for Nirvana and later went on to form Foo Fighters. Interesting enough, Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones played bass guitar and keyboard for them! It goes without saying that Them Crooked Vultures share similarities in their heavy use of riffs, intricate drumming, and dynamic vocal performances to that of bands like Led Zeppelin.
9. The White Stripes
Just like the rocks, when you compare bands with classic blues with high level of intensity, the Zeppelin comparisons are be inevitable. The member of the the duo The White Stripes, Jack White was aware of that. Luckily that did not stop the duo from with holding their admiration and influence from Led Zeppelin’s legacy.
In November 6th 2005, Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page made a surprise appearance at The White Stripes’ 2nd Hammersmith Apollo show in the UK. It’s as close as it gets for them, no performance together. The White Stripes consisted of Jack White on vocals and guitar, and Meg White on drums. They were known for their raw, garage rock sound with heavy, distorted guitar riffs, driving rhythms, and raw, bluesy vocals. Incorporating elements of folk and other traditional music styles The White Stripes is a perfect choice for artists similar to Led Zeppelin.
Also Read: Bands like Tame Impala
10. Rival Sons
Rival Sons is a rock band from Long Beach, California, and they are known for their energetic performances and bluesy, soulful sound. The band has released several critically acclaimed albums, including “Pressure & Time” and “Feral Roots“. Rival Sons have are usually compared to Led Zeppelin for their classic rock sound and dynamic live shows.
It’s just so that Rival Sons happened to work with Led Zeppelin’s engineer and producer, Eddie Kramer. Rival Sons celebrates blues and rock influences in their music, with heavy use of guitar riffs and solos, powerful vocals, and driving rhythms. Described as a modern-day version of bands like Led Zeppelin, Rival Sons are a unique band with a lot to offer.
Honorable Mentions
Here are a few bands that didn’t make this list, but you can check them out nonetheless:
- The Black Keys
- Wolfmother
- Rush
- Bonham
- Black Crowes